Holiday Bow Appetizer

Featured in: Savory Bites

This festive holiday bow arrangement offers a delightful mix of sharp cheddar, brie, gouda cheeses paired with prosciutto and salami. Fresh grapes, pomegranate seeds, and apple slices add bright, juicy notes, while crackers, baguette slices, roasted almonds, olives, and dried apricots provide varied textures. Honey or fig jam enhances sweetness, and rosemary sprigs with edible flowers make for an elegant finish. Ideal for easy entertaining, this platter caters to vegetarian options and pairs well with sparkling or white wine.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:29:00 GMT
Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter arranged on a holiday platter bursting with colorful cheeses, meats, and fruits. Save
Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter arranged on a holiday platter bursting with colorful cheeses, meats, and fruits. | cravebop.com

A festive and vibrant appetizer platter arranged in the shape of a holiday bow featuring an assortment of cheeses cured meats fresh fruits nuts and savory bites& perfect for entertaining.

This appetizer platter always impresses guests at holiday gatherings and is fun to assemble with family.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 120 g sharp cheddar cubed 120 g brie sliced 120 g gouda cubed
  • Cured Meats: 100 g prosciutto thinly sliced 100 g salami thinly sliced
  • Fresh Fruits: 1 cup red grapes 1 cup green grapes 1 pomegranate seeded 1 apple sliced
  • Crackers & Bread: 1 baguette sliced 150 g assorted crackers
  • Nuts & Extras: 1/2 cup roasted almonds 1/2 cup marinated olives 1/2 cup dried apricots 1/3 cup honey or fig jam
  • Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs Edible flowers (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
On a large rectangular or oval platter lightly sketch the outline of a bow using parchment paper as a guide if desired.
Step 2:
Arrange the cheeses along the loops and center of the bow spacing for visual appeal.
Step 3:
Fold and layer the cured meats in gentle waves or rosettes next to the cheeses.
Step 4:
Fill in the bow with clusters of grapes pomegranate seeds and apple slices.
Step 5:
Place crackers and baguette slices around the edges or in the tails of the bow.
Step 6:
Add nuts olives and dried apricots in small piles throughout to create color and texture contrast.
Step 7:
Spoon honey or fig jam into a small bowl and nestle it into the platter.
Step 8:
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for a festive touch.
Step 9:
Serve immediately replenishing ingredients as needed.
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This platter brings the family together every holiday season creating lasting memories.

Notes

Try adding goat cheese blue cheese or cherry tomatoes for more variety Pairs well with sparkling wine or light white wine.

Required Tools

Large serving platter or board Sharp knife Small bowls for jams and olives Cheese knives or spreaders

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese) Tree nuts (almonds) Gluten (crackers baguette) May contain Sulfites (cured meats) possible cross-contamination in processed foods Always check product labels for allergens.

Vibrant Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter, overflowing with red grapes, crackers, and creamy brie for easy entertaining. Save
Vibrant Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter, overflowing with red grapes, crackers, and creamy brie for easy entertaining. | cravebop.com

This holiday bow appetizer platter is both eye-catching and delicious making it a festive favorite.

Recipe Guide

How do I create the bow shape for the platter?

Use parchment paper as a template on your serving platter to sketch the bow outline lightly, guiding the placement of cheeses, meats, and fruits for an appealing presentation.

Can this platter be adapted for vegetarians?

Yes, simply omit the cured meats and add extra cheeses or marinated vegetables like hummus for added variety.

What are good pairings for this appetizer arrangement?

This assortment pairs nicely with sparkling wines or light white wines to complement the savory and fresh flavors.

Are there gluten-free options available?

Yes, substitute the crackers and baguette with gluten-free alternatives to accommodate dietary needs.

How should the nuts and dried fruits be arranged?

Distribute roasted almonds, olives, and dried apricots in small clusters throughout the platter to add color, texture, and contrast.

Holiday Bow Appetizer

A colorful bow-shaped appetizer featuring cheeses, cured meats, fruits, nuts, and savory bites to impress guests.

Prep duration
25 min
0
Complete duration
25 min
Created by Lindsey Carter

Style Savory Bites

Skill level Easy

Heritage International

Output 9 Portions

Nutrition labels Meat-free

What you'll need

Cheeses

01 4.2 oz sharp cheddar, cubed
02 4.2 oz brie, sliced
03 4.2 oz gouda, cubed

Cured Meats

01 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
02 3.5 oz salami, thinly sliced

Fresh Fruits

01 1 cup red grapes
02 1 cup green grapes
03 1 pomegranate, seeded
04 1 apple, sliced

Crackers & Bread

01 1 baguette, sliced
02 5.3 oz assorted crackers

Nuts & Extras

01 1/2 cup roasted almonds
02 1/2 cup marinated olives
03 1/2 cup dried apricots
04 1/3 cup honey or fig jam

Garnishes

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs
02 Edible flowers (optional)

Method

Phase 01

Outline Bow Shape: Using a large rectangular or oval serving platter, optionally place parchment paper to sketch the shape of a bow as a visual guide.

Phase 02

Arrange Cheeses: Distribute the cubed sharp cheddar, sliced brie, and cubed gouda along the bow's loops and center, spacing them evenly for an attractive presentation.

Phase 03

Position Cured Meats: Fold and layer the prosciutto and salami into gentle waves or rosettes adjacent to the cheeses, enhancing texture and color variety.

Phase 04

Add Fresh Fruits: Fill gaps within the bow with clusters of red and green grapes, pomegranate seeds, and sliced apples for freshness and vibrancy.

Phase 05

Place Crackers and Bread: Arrange baguette slices and assorted crackers around the edges or in the bow's tails to complement the cheese and meats.

Phase 06

Incorporate Nuts and Extras: Scatter roasted almonds, marinated olives, and dried apricots in small piles across the platter to add color contrast and texture interest.

Phase 07

Add Honey or Fig Jam: Transfer honey or fig jam into a small bowl and nestle it into the platter for convenient dipping.

Phase 08

Garnish Platter: Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers to contribute a festive and aromatic touch.

Phase 09

Serve Immediately: Present the platter at once, replenishing ingredients as needed to maintain a full and appealing display.

Tools needed

  • Large serving platter or board
  • Sharp knife
  • Small bowls for jams and olives
  • Cheese knives or spreaders

Allergy alerts

Always review ingredients for potential allergens and seek professional medical advice if uncertain.
  • Contains milk (cheese), tree nuts (almonds), and gluten (crackers, baguette).
  • May contain sulfites (cured meats) and possible cross-contamination in processed foods.
  • Always verify product labels for specific allergen information.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 260
  • Fats: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Proteins: 10 g